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| China optimistic on 'further progress' on boundary issue | | | BEIJING| JAN 16
Buoyed by a "successful" meeting between Indian and Chinese Prime Ministers during the weekend, Beijing today hoped that the two sides could achieve "further progress' on the vexed boundary dispute based on the political guiding principles and consensus reached.
"We hope the meeting can make further progress," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao told reporters here while confirming that the ninth round of Special Representative-level parleys would be held in New Delhi from January 17 to 18.
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister, Wu Dawei, who is also the Chinese Special Representative, will lead the Chinese delegation, he said.
India will be represented by National Security Adviser, M K Narayanan, who is also the Indian Special Representative to the India-China boundary talks mechanism, established in 2003.
"Both sides will further explore the solution of the boundary issue under the principles of political guidance and on the basis of the spirit of peace, friendship, equal consultations, mutual respect and mutual understanding," Liu said.
The upcoming round of boundary talks is the first since Chinese President Hu Jintao visited India in November last year when the two sides agreed to speed up the negotiations.
"An early settlement of the boundary question will advance the basic interests of the two countries and shall, therefore, be pursued as a strategic objective," a Joint Declaration issued during Hu's visit had said, adding that "the Special Representatives shall complete at an early date the task of finalising an appropriate framework for a final package settlement covering all sectors of the India-China boundary."
It was also agreed by both sides to complete the process of exchanging maps indicating their respective perceptions of the entire alignment of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) on the basis of already agreed parameters as soon as possible.
The ninth round of boundary talks will be held after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met with his Chinese counterpart, Wen Jiabao in Cebu, the Philippines, on the sidelines of the East Asian Summit.
Singh and Wen agreed that India and China should push forward border talks under the principles of political guidance and on the basis of the spirit of peace, friendship, equal consultations, mutual respect and mutual understanding. Commenting on the Singh-Wen meeting, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman described it as a "very good meeting."
Liu said both sides discussed wide range of topics, reviewing the progress in relations between the two countries so as to create mutual trust for each other.
He quoted Singh as telling Wen that no matter what others say, the two countries are having harmonious cooperation.
Liu also pointed out that in 2006, Chinese President Hu Jintao visited India which is of milestone significance for the future development of China-India relations and the trip achieved great consensus.
"We believe that as the two biggest developing countries in the world, China and India can join hands for harmonious cooperation and future development to make important contribution to world peace and stability," the spokesman added.
Meanwhile, the official Chinese media has released more information of the Wen-Singh meeting, the first high-level contact in 2007.
Wen emphasised that both China and India are big developing countries and influential Asian nations, therefore the significance of Sino-Indian relations has gone beyond a bilateral framework and has taken in a global meaning.
He said that friendly relations between China and India are beneficial not only for the two countries but also for Asia and the whole world.
Wen said China regards India as an important cooperative partner and always considers the development of India as beneficial for China itself, therefore China is glad to see the development and prosperity of India and the country holds since re wishes and a firm belief in developing friendship and cooperation with India.
Wen and Singh agreed that in 2007, China and India continue to maintain high level visits and exchange views in time on all major issues. |
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